Why Chester?

Exam time of year often gets people thinking about their next steps, whether you’re at school, college or already at university level. Its undoubtedly important to explore all your options and find the best fit for you, and Chester has a great balance of academic and cultural strengths to attract you. Here’s a few reasons why you should take the plunge and call this place home!

The University

Founded in 1839, Chester was the first institution to be purpose built for the education and training of teachers and is one of the oldest in the country, pre dating all but Oxford, Cambridge, London and Durham! With now nearly 20,000 students, there is a lot of experience and knowledge to be passed on. As well as undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, a new range of foundation degrees and apprenticeship degrees combines conventional university study with learning at work.

MPhil and PhD qualifications are an established and growing area of activity, with the University gaining the powers to award its own research degrees in 2007. The emphasis is very much on research that has practical benefits both economically and culturally, and the University provides consultancy support across a variety of areas of expertise.

Recent projects have included helping to develop England’s first ‘carbon neutral’ village, discovering a vitamin compound which reduces the risk of heart disease and dementia, translating the Bible into British Sign Language, and research into understanding the psychological impact of cancer to improve wellbeing and quality of life for patients and their families. Development of well-respected courses in Health and Social Care, Humanities, Business and Management, Arts and Media, Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, and Education and Children’s Services has further extended the University’s work and connections with industry, commerce and the professions.

Culture

Chester’s rich heritage and culture are also a big factor in drawing in thousands of people from all around the world, as shown by it being voted the 4th prettiest city in Europe by Americans!

The town’s racecourse is Britain’s oldest sporting venue in continual use. The first hordes race at the Roodee took place in 1539, replacing the famously bloody Shrove Tuesday football game. Mayor Henry Gee allowed the swap, giving the name the “gee-gees” to horse racing.

Chester’s Rows, covered walkways at the first floor in each of the city’s four main streets, are unique not only in Britain but everywhere is the world. They have allowed double level shopping in the town at least since the 13th Century.

Chester is the best preserved walled city in England as its medieval walls form the most complete circuit around any town or city in England.

Chester was founded as Roman fort in the year 79 and was known as Deva. It was one of the three major Roman army bases in the UK.

The Roman amphitheatre, which had seats for 7000 spectators, is the largest in the country and still stands today. Shows and performances are often still located here in the warmer months.

Chester Cathedral is the North West's most popular tourist attraction, services

The patron saint of Chester is St Werburgh, who was instrumental in convent reform across England.

Chester has the only surviving rock cut Roman Shrine in the Country. Called Minerva’s Shrine after the goddess of war it is designated as a Grade I listed building by English heritage.

In 1403 Henry, Prince of Wales, the future Henry V, ordered that the Welsh should be expelled from the Chester – none should enter the city before sunrise or stay after sunset on pain of decapitation. There is no record of the order ever being repealed.